The Eagles (11-6) and 49ers (12-5) are heading into a Sunday afternoon clash at Lincoln Financial Field, which provides context for the scoring. Early betting lines are open, and according to BetMGM, the Super Bowl champion will have a 3.5-point home-field advantage over the defensively-challenged 49ers. The 49ers are looking to regroup after the Seahawks defeated San Francisco 13-3 on Saturday night.
San Francisco’s defense is already terrible and will be without All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. The 49ers are preparing to begin preparations as they lose linebacker Tatum Bethune.
Bethune, who was forced to leave Saturday’s loss to Seattle with a groin injury late in the fourth quarter, finished with seven tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks and one pass defended. San Francisco also could be without Dee Winters (ankle), who was forced to exit in the second quarter. The potential loss of two starting linebackers is a huge blow to a San Francisco defense that is already losing Warner (ankle – IR), pass rusher Mykel Williams (knee – IR) and Nick Bosa (knee – IR).
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With Bethune sidelined, Eric Kendricks, Garrett Vallow and Curtis Robinson (who did not play in Week 18) will all take more defensive snaps at linebacker against the Eagles’ offense to establish the running game.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Tatum Bethune out vs. Hawks with groin injury
